Working group to develop nanoscale standards

Published: 9-Dec-2008

A new nanotechnology working group, formed by ISO Technical Committee 209 (ISO/TC 209) Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments, will begin work in 2009 on developing standards for the nanoscale.


The working group has been convened by the US under the auspices of IEST. It will draw on IEST's expertise in cleanrooms and controlled environments and in developing ISO standards.

The nanotechnology working group will initially specify the minimum requirements for design, operations, monitoring, and testing of nanotechnology facilities as they differ from those described in ISO 14644-4 (Design, construction, and start-up) and ISO 14644-5 (Operations).

It has been authorised to write a series of standards, if needed. Groups of drafting experts will be assigned to specific documents or sections of documents.

The new proposed standards may include guidance for applying established physical, biological, and chemical contamination control principles to nanotechnology facilities; cleanliness requirements covering nanoparticles for future contamination control in nanotechnology research and manufacturing; and requirements for controlled environments including vibration and electromagnetics.

IEST is accepting nominations of experts for membership of the group. Nominations will close on 1 January.

The first working group meeting will take place in June 2009 in Seattle in conjunction with the ISO/TC 229 meetings.

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